3Doodler Start Review: A Safe 3D Printing Pen for Kids

Learn a great way to introduce kids to 3D printing in this 3Doodler Start review. This is an easy-to-use and safe 3D printing pen for kids.

My kids are fascinated by 3D printing. This summer they’ve loved trying out the 3Doodler Start, a kid-friendly 3D printing pen that prints at such a low temperature that you can safely touch the tip of the pen while it is in use!

3Doodler Start Review

The 3Doodler Start using a low temperature melting plastic so that kids can safely touch both the tip of the pen and the freshly melted plastic. I was really impressed that there was no odor whatsoever to the pen or the plastic.

Making Hexbug Creatures with the 3Doodler Start Pen

The Make Your Own Hexbug Creature Activity Kit comes with three hexbug bodies and molds to make wings, legs, and bodies for the creatures. My 10-year-old, 8-year-old, and 5-year-old each made a hexbug creature. My ten-year-old son was able to do the entire thing on his own, but the younger girls both needed help, especially with attaching legs.

Pro tip: The pieces will fall out of the mold easily once they are cool enough. Don’t try taking them out too soon!

Freehand Drawing With the 3Doodler Start Pen

My kids love creating projects freehand using the 3Doodler Start pen! The easiest way to do this is by drawing an outline on a piece of paper, filling it in, and then popping it off once the plastic cools all the way. The kids are getting better, though, at creating 3D sculptures.

The kids also discovered that they can add texture to their projects if they work quickly. Eight-year-old Lily used a small screwdriver tip to create the texture of the Scotland themed rug her Hexbug creature is dancing on!